Always have a plan

[Ciscovet]

So i'm a new boater. I picked up a boat at the end of last year. I did my research and got insurance. I spent time learning the channels and area. I biggest fear was to be broken down in the middle of the ocean. Well that fear became realized last night when I busted what I assume was my lower unit. My friend and I were stuck and out of shear luck managed to break down at the enterence of the channel. But this is not about that or that three people rode by as I flagged them down or that some nice people saved me from an expensive tow.
I am more interested in that I did not know what to do. I did not have a plan on who to call or even where to get their numbers. I do have tow/insurance but did not have the relevant information. So for all new boaters...have you actually thought of what you would do if you really broke down? I know this will probably cost me some cash but it could have been way worse. Plus I got to learn a new lesson.

[scrit9mm]

great tip. sorry for your woe's

[oops!]

Excellent post.

let me (if i may) quote JB (one of our posters here at iboats)

"the water has no forgiveness for the unprepared"

[Home Cookin']

not only do you have to plan, your plans have to have a back-up and your back-up has to have a back-up. You can write down all the numbers in the world but if you just dropped your cell phone overboard, they do you no good. One of your plans has to be one with no calls to anyone.

So for many boaters, the #1 most important safety equipment is the anchor. You break down, you want to stay put. From there, execute your plans, one of which may be to ride it out on anchor (so--could you safely stay on board over night? Do you have something to keep you from freezing?)

[mk4713]

The backup to the backup plan is a must have. I was stranded in the middle of lake texoma for an entire day. So now I have a backup 5hp outboard along w my 40hp and some oars as the backup backup. Being stranded is definatly a scary feeling.